- active immunity
- immunity that results from the production of antibodies to help protect the body from a pathogen that has entered the body
- airborne precaution
- a practice indicated for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens that are transmitted through droplet nuclei
- airborne transmission
- the spread of pathogens that are carried by dust or the nuclei of an evaporated droplet and remain suspended in the air
- antibody (also, immunoglobulin)
- a protective protein produced by the immune system to help the body fight invaders
- antigen
- a toxin or foreign substance introduced to the body that elicits an immune response
- asepsis
- the state of being free from disease-causing contaminants
- chain of infection
- the six stages of infection that must be present for the transmission of a pathogen from one place or person to another
- contact precaution
- a practice implemented for patients who have known or suspected infections that can be transmitted through direct skin-to-skin contact or indirect contact with environmental surfaces or equipment
- convalescent period
- the time when recovery and healing begin
- direct transmission
- the spread of a pathogen that is transmitted directly from an infected person
- disinfection
- the process of removing microorganisms and disease-causing pathogens from inanimate objects
- droplet precaution
- a practice implemented when patients are known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by respiratory droplets from coughing, sneezing, and talking
- droplet transmission
- the spread of a pathogen that travels through a spray of water droplets that are released when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks
- fever
- a rise in core body temperature
- illness period
- the third stage of infection, which starts when a person experiences the specific signs and symptoms of a disease
- incubation period
- the initial stage of infection when a pathogen successfully enters into a new host
- indirect transmission
- the spread of a pathogen to a new host through an intermediary, such as the air, food, water, animals, or objects
- infection control
- the discipline of stopping or preventing the spread of infectious agents
- inflammatory response
- one of the first responses when a pathogen breaches the nonspecific innate immune system; it aids in the recruitment of cellular defenses to remove pathogens
- medical asepsis
- techniques and procedures used to decrease the potential for the spread of microorganisms and infection
- medical isolation gown
- a garment worn in the healthcare setting as a broad barrier against blood or bodily fluids
- microorganism
- a single-celled organism that is microscopic in size and too small to be seen by the naked eye
- multidrug-resistant organisms
- a bacterium that has become resistant to certain antibiotics
- N95 respirator mask
- a tight-fitting mask that protects the wearer from very small particles that float in the air
- normal flora
- microorganisms that can live on another living organism or inanimate object without causing diseases or complications
- passive immunity
- the result of antibodies being passed from one person to another
- pathogen
- any type of microorganism that causes disease to its host
- personal protective equipment (PPE)
- a means of barrier protection for eyes, nose, mouth, and skin from exposure to blood and other potentially infectious bodily fluids and materials
- portal of entry
- the site at which a pathogen enters the susceptible host
- portal of exit
- the path by which the pathogen leaves the reservoir
- prodromal period
- the second stage of infection, which begins at the initial appearance of mild or vague symptoms
- reservoir
- the habitat or source of the pathogen that provides a place for survival and growth
- sanitization
- the removal of visible soil from objects and materials
- sepsis
- the body’s extreme response to a widespread infection
- sharps
- needles and other objects, such as lancets, razor blades, scissors, clamps, pins, staples, and glass items
- standard precaution
- the first tier of precautions to protect healthcare staff and patients
- sterile gloves
- a glove that is free from microorganisms and individually packaged as a pair to remain free of pathogens
- sterile technique
- a set of specific practices and procedures employed to maintain sterility of the sterile field (e.g., equipment, instruments, drapes)
- sterilization
- a procedure that eliminates all microorganisms in or on an object
- surgical asepsis
- the absence of all microorganisms in any type of invasive procedure, achieved through rigorous sterilization processes and meticulously maintained through sterile technique
- surgical gown
- a garment worn by healthcare personnel during a surgical procedure to protect both the patient and the personnel from transmission of pathogens
- surgical mask
- a mask that prevents transmission of large particle droplet matter generated through coughing or splash-generating procedures
- susceptible host
- the organism that is susceptible to or at risk for infection
- transmission
- the method that a pathogen uses to spread from one host to another
- transmission-based precaution
- a practice implemented in situations where standard precautions are not adequate to prevent infection transmission
- vector transmission
- the spread of a pathogen that occurs when blood-feeding arthropods infect animals or humans
- zoonosis
- an infectious disease that can naturally transmit from animal to human